Our Employee was SHOT in Phuket Thailand 

It was certainly a crazy time to be growing up on Phuket. You and your family were so kind to us during that time Noah. I'm forever grateful. Luckily, the old man is too stubborn to die! And now that I'm an adult and fully understand what happend, I'm glad that all stood up and did the right thing and refused to be pressured and extorted by greedy people.

I appreciate that you let Noah talk at his pace and don’t interrupt him or try to squeeze the interview into a shorter time. I look forward to hearing the next part!

The naievety of foreigners doing business in Thailand never ceases to amaze me. As if the kayak business wasnt going to be copied and then pressured to fold. I'd never open a business let alone a business like that in Thailand.

Excellent interview! This is what i miss about journalism in the USA. Lets make journalism great again!

The only province in Thailand I have never visited after twenty-two years and likely will avoid forever. Famous for scams, mafia, and attracts the worst of Thais and foreigners. You could not pay me enough to ever go there. Not sure why foreigners are drawn to such a place. You can have it knock yourself out not worth the stress of the constant rip-offs and threats of violence, beatings by the taxi mafia, and the foreign mafias that are involved in crime. Reminds me of another place that begins with the letter P. Never understood why people are drawn to crowds of thousands on the beaches and constantly being hassled by many, not ALL of the Thais. Speak no see evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Good for you Pete for the interview and for exposing the underbelly of the place.

Good interview. I went to Phuket first in 1982 and it was hardly developed at all but already had a reputation as a dangerous place controlled by mafia. The beaches were not very safe and bungalow resorts were occasionally attacked by the various armed insurgent groups looking for cash and valuables.

Very very interesting Pete. Stuff like this makes your channel stand out fella. Well done.

Very interesting. I came here in 1984 and here moved here three years later. In between, I visited Phuket and considered it paradise. Not now. I can relate to what is being discussed and experienced some of it. My wife advised me to not do business in Thailand. I heeded her advice. Looking forward to part two.

Great interview Pete 👍 I'll be sure to tune to part 2 😉

Great stuff Pete. Looking forward to part 2.

Great interview. I visited Phuket just before the Tsunami. I was underwhelmed and left after a couple of days. Compared with other areas of Thailand it does seem to be lacking that chilled out Thai vibe. The taxi scams that you spoke of don’t surprise me.

Really enjoyed part one Pete and eagerly awaiting part 2

I've visited Phuket 7+ times since 2004. I defo remember the 200 baht, fixed taxi fare for a very short trip up the road in '04 - I remember the driver being very aggressive when I complained and compard the price to those in Bangkok and him saying "This not Bangkok". This brings back many bitter-sweet memories of lovely scenery, some nice people but also extortion and pure greed. Great interview Pete, I'm looking forward to the next part. Thanks.

Fantastic interview. Very professional. Looking forward to part 2

Really cool interview! I remember going from Patong to Kamala and was charged 1200 baht each way. I really was "green" there and wanted to see a different beach so i just paid but knew I was getting ripped off! The mafia is alive and well especially in the transportation sector of Thailand. Thanks for another great interview :) Looking forward to part 2!

Thank you so much!!! This is an excellent interview! Very informative and eye-opening. Please do more interviews like this.

Thanks for share your great story Pete😀👍

This is the best one so far mate. Can't wait for the next episode's. Cheers.

Great chat Pete, brilliant theme. Nice one mate.

Well done 4X2! Very interesting story of how that segment of tourism got started in Phuket. I first visited Phuket in 1983 and obviously it was very different back then. Made a few more visits in the early 90's and later. The whole "mafia" vibe of Phuket has kind of put me off of the place since then which is why I go elsewhere now. Haven't been back since 2003 and have no plans to visit. Smart to rent a car when you arrive at the airport.

I really appreciate these interviews. Not only are you a good interviewer but you also find very interesting and varied topics!

Years ago there was to be a bus 'service' to take tourists from the Airport into Phuket Town. The local 'taxi drivers' were furious! So a way was found that the buses 'always left the Airport' hours after the planes had arrived with the passengers! The tourists just wanted to get to the hotel , shower and rest up! --They took the Taxi's! Buses at most sat empty for most of the day--departing just about empty! John Grey was NEVER going to win on 'their turf'. I do not return to Phuket. *Some locals hate it when you speak in Thai to them (Southern dialect too!) They don't want Farangs living there knowing too much! Glad you got away Noah! Stay safe!

Brilliant again Pete..Noah really articulate and tells it well..absolute brilliant stuff your putting out at the moment

Superb, looking forward to the next one already 👍🏻

The best interviewee you have interviewed very interesting , looking forward to part 2.

Fascinating interview guys, well done.

Keep the great content coming Pete 🙏👍

I'm glad your telling this story's.

Outstanding mate 👍🏻 Great interview, Noah is clearly a great guy to just chat to about Thailand and Asia. Amazing stories, can’t imagine the off camera ones 😎🙏👍🏻

your good at interviewing Pete,well done

Such a compelling interview! I didn’t even notice it was almost 40 minutes. What a story 🤯 Love your listening style, Pete! Can’t wait for episodes 2 & 3! Love when he asked “is this interesting for you?” IT IS VERY INTERESTING. Might not even go to Phuket at this point. This is horrible.

Looking forward to the rest of the interview. He seems a smart and interesting guy.

Nice interview!

Really good interview. Very interesting and professional. Like your style. Looking forward to seeing part 2 and 3.

Very interesting look forward to part 2. Was great to bump into you both tonight lovely couple. All the best Gary.

That guy was super interesting and had a great story! I appreciate that you didn't interupt him.. Cheers. Clicking on part 2 now!

Very nice. Noah has such an easy, laid-back style.

That's some interesting story from Noah, wow. Well interviewed Pete.

Holy shit.. such an interesting video ! Living in Thailand since 5 years owing a business on an island ..this is soooo interesting. Definitely pumped for the series 🙏🇹🇭👌

great job Pete. Loved the relaxed attitude of Noah.

Fantastic interview and Noel was a good participant. It is tricky at times to get interviews. I need some interviews for my PhD thesis very scary hahaha. Any way well done and I will be watching the part 2 and part 3.

Very fascinating

Educational interview, great stuff .

Enjoyed this.

This interview is quite riveting! Noah is an exceptionally good storyteller and knows how to hold the listener's attention. He has a good start on authoring a book. Thanks! 🙏🏼🙏🏼👍🏼 Cheers!!

Wow Pete.Loving this stuff mate

Nice to hear a Real Story from someone who have experienced, and not a fairy tail. Good and relaxed interview Pete. 🙏

fascinating content. Thak you

What a gem, I'm glad I find your channel! Greating from Bahrain 🇧🇭

This would be better if you both wore lavalier microphones- there is a lot of white noise. Sound is actually more important than video, because many people actually listen to youtube while doing chores or driving.

You're doing some interesting stuff. Enjoying your latest videos

You nailed this Pete, great interview and interviewee. Going to Phuket sine 2005 and the taxi issue has been around since them, remember them blocking hotels so minibuses could not pick up guests. Great stuff part tow quick please💪🍀💪👍

You're telling me a guy called NOAH got involved with boats and "eco tours"????? Floods are coming, people....

great interview! great tidbits you won't learn in a business school

I do not think the local Thais in Phuket realize the damage being done by taxi mafia on the reputation of Phuket and even country as a whole.. smh.. 😞😑

Great interview really interesting I was in phuket end of 90s and went kayaking cannot remember company but his rang a bell great stuff

Very interesting interview it goes to show that many things get shoved under the table so to speak keep up your interesting interviews

Love it Pete/nine can't wait part2/3

Great interview. I always rent a car in Phuket just in principle. Don’t care if it costs me more

Enthralling interview. Staying tuned for part two. Yeah the taxi mafia does put people off from going to Phuket. It's a shame because the island has a lot to offer.

Great interview, and Noah hello from South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍🏻

Crazy thing is this type of stuff happens over crumbs all the time in America, most of time not even for money just jealousy they'll kill over

interesting..... looking forward to part 2.

The best interview I have seen from you so far Pete (2nd would be the Steve Rosse one). I lived in Phuket from 1988 through to 2002 and I knew both Noah and also John Gray. Now if you could ever get John Grey to do an interview that would make some viewing. Noah is still as laid back as ever, I'm glad you let him flow with the interview at his pace...Ask him how he got his nick name at the Phuket Hash House Harriers...John Grays was Caveman...!! fitted his personality. Bring on part 2.

I feel the best way to describe some of the islands as mini countries and they have their own ways of doing things. I haven’t been to Phuket in over 10 years it was just too expensive trying do the normal things which is a shame. Noah and his business partners stood by their principals even tho it got very scary for them. He seems happy and context and he’s made a great like for him and his family . Another great interview Pete 👌

Wow a hot poteto topic you are discussing here. I want to confirm with the story that Noah was telling. I used to work for a travel agent in Phuket, one day we sent a minivan to pick up our guests from a hotel and got stop by a group of taxi drivers in front of that hotel. They were very aggressive and threatening torward our driver and tour guide, and this happened in 2016.

very interesting Pete , where do you find all these people , enjoyed the ride congrats

Loved the story and been in the Phuket Tuck Tucks so I’ve got that T-shirt. Great interview and interviewee. Don’t keep us wait to long now Pete. Lol

Fantastic story !!! Noah is amazing !!!

I also think I like the querkiness about Thailand ,, Pete , I am looking forward to part two .

I don’t know Noah but from the interview he’s an amazing and successfully guy! Good clip and thank you!

The Interview section is the best part of your channel, in my opinion if I may say 🙏great stuff! Congrats P. S. Do all the south Wales people speak as clearly as Noah !? I've unbelievably understood every single word easily 😉🙂🍻

I used to go to Khao Yai every Sunday..didn't have to pay because I had a work permit..tourists had to pay between 2-500 baht

This interview made me instantly relaxed ,Sad/shocking as the story is ,credit to you both for all sorts of reasons 👍Different story but Iv'e watched the Jet ski guys in action numerous times on Patong Beach (i so wanted to get involved as it was unfolding in front of my eyes .They are the mafia and have back up with PC plod 🤦‍♂️Thankfully the length of Patong is all walking distance so I never used a Tuk Tuk .

By "quirky" it sounds like you mean "lawless".

Great chat, lots of white noise in the audio

On Phuket: If someone were to add to the series "For Dummies" a best seller would be "Island Destroying for Dummies" Up to the early 90's like yer man says Phuket was like Thailand cheap! Then the Cronies(outside influences) took over, 1st huge Hotel with no sewage works just a ditch straight to Patong beach & on it went Bay by Bay just no regulation or stopping scams of every description. Amazing network of Sharks move in for easy pickings as Noah experienced, that was happening in many instances clearly to be seen discussing with locals (yer term Mafia) in back street cafes how!.... 💀 💀💀

Very interesting story and a clever guy,when are you releasing pt 2/3 you have me hanging now pete lol..👍

That's why I stopped going to Phuket. High prices and taxi mafia.

You're learning Pete, can't wait for part two or even a part three if needed! Make sure you spare batteries though 🙂.

Keep in mind, you could go watch a Charlie Chaplin movie in the cinema while your slave stood by fanning you. OK it's a weird example, but Thailand didn't outlaw slavery even until 1915. They're is super slow to adopt to how the rest of the world works. Opium, not outlawed until 1959.

Noah's voice is very soothing, almost like an ASMR video

Just clicked. Looking forward to this.

Not surprised…..if you succeed in Thailand, eventually the Mafia Wil have you….hence why I decided long ago never to open a business there…….ps been over 85 times and my wife of 18 years is Thai……..love the place but there’s a dark side to it all as shown here…….guys, be warned….

Muslim population in Thailand : 5%. In Phuket : 35%. That's 7 times more ! It's the exact same thing in many parts of Europe. Same cause, same consequences.

They call government mafia.

The most dramatic speaker I have ever heard from. His pauses are 9 months pregnant each one. Wow!

I always rent a car there too. Such a rip-off and easy to solve by yanking all the business licenses of cabs and tuk tus and only reissue them under certain conditions...

I will call past of the deal.

If you're going to start a company in a country that you're not a citizen of, don't go around acting like you have the same rights and rules as the citizens. This applies to any country anywhere in the world. You WILL pay a 'foreigner tax', just like an expat does for many things. - WW

Wow what vlog this is amazing and interesting stuff James you do a amazing job the Welsh guy has totally lost his account ? Does he speak proper welsh language interested to know thank you both

Spent 15 months in Phuket 2002-2004 .Still have fond memories of the the place,,and the people i met.

Great interview and story! Btw..the birds nests..are they for soup or what is their use?

This guy is soon interesting... Good job Pete... I saw this last btw

Well said 4 x 2 !! Best wishes from Sir Lance Rayong. We all know why we left Phuket! Greed island! Only get's worse!

Hey Pete, I knew John Grey from the 90's in Phuket. I got some great images of him and his operation. In fact I was there during the tsunami of 2004. I was a photojournalist back then, if your interested I'll send you some pix. I was there when the tsunami hit the beaches on Boxing Day 2004, my family was on there way to go on a sea kayak trip with John Grey. And yes I remember the fighting between the operators.

Ya rocking the sunglasses Dude !

1:04 This has applied to Thailand since....FOREVER!

Yes ditto on last comment . Your style is very good. How you find these people ? Idont know . But your creating an original niche and that important given Thailand is saturated with utube vlogers. Keep up the good work and my wife and I will keep watching. Its helped in part because you stated once its your hobbie. So you dont have the pressure to create. Which translates to you doing quality shit. 😉😉

When part 2 ser?